Fans, including myself, were thrilled when Miley announced a new visual album, Something Beautiful, on March 24 and revealed the album cover - Miley looking ethereal in archival 1997 Thierry Mugler couture. She then released a couple of singles as something of an appetizer for the rest of the album, including the title track. To be honest, I found it jarring initially and it left me wanting more - and maybe that was the whole point. Miley said in an interview that the album centers around healing and was created as "an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music". Given the world we find ourselves right now, the album's seemingly disparate sounds (including club anthems, dramatic orchestrations, distorted bass, raw vocals and spoken word) and juxtaposing themes make perfect sense and create a phenomenal body of work. Also, shoutout to Miley for being ambitious and adventurous and making songs longer than 2 minutes (the average length of tracks on Something Beautiful is 4 minutes 30 seconds).
Dakota West Foss from Sputnik Music sums up the album in the best possible way: "Taking cues from every era and then some, it’s the best version of herself by a country mile. It’s a sprawling, joyful, psychedelic adventure with an insane list of collaborators...that refuses any easy classification, but the chops are routinely proven at every turn to show that each moment is the product of a ton of care, and not a fluke".
She has also been promoting the album at events around NYC. She made a surprise appearance at 3 Dollar Bill, Brooklyn's ever popular queer event space, to celebrate the album's release. She took to the stage in a black leather mini dress and sunglasses and addressed the crowd before taking over the DJ booth and singing along to two of the songs from the new album. She also appeared at Rough Trade this week where signed vinyl copies of Something Beautiful and performed three songs, Easy Lover, More To Lose and Flowers. Of course, it was sold out by the time it was announced - getting tickets to anything these days is a full time job and I wish I could learn the hacks that others seem to have.
Something Beautiful, the visual companion to the album, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 6. The festival website describes it as "fueled by fantasy" and "a one-of-a-kind pop opera" featuring thirteen original new songs from the album. The premiere was followed by an exclusive conversation with Miley, who wore a dazzling mesh gown (Schiaparelli SS25 Couture) for the occasion.
Here is my personal ranking of each track on the album, excluding the Prelude and Interludes:
10 | Something Beautiful
As previously mentioned, I was not immediately captivated by the title track and the distorted, grungy vocals midway threw me, but I have a feeling that it will grow on me with each listen.
9 | Give Me Love
A satisfying though middle-of-the-road conclusion to the thrilling journey that she has taken us on. According to Billboard's Lyndsey Havens "at the halfway point of the song, Miley’s own vocals harmonize to form what can best be described as a choir of angels, encompassing the listener in the very thing she’s asking for: love".
8 | More To Lose
This is a beautiful ballad that offers something gentle in between the chaos, as well as another opportunity for Miley to showcase her vocal prowess but it doesn't really stand out from her other ballads for me.
7 | Pretend You're God
I like the gentle strings that give way to haunting vocals over a bassline reminiscent of early 90s Madonna. "Smokethony Showtano" from The Needle Drop describes it as "art, rock, and pop meditation that has a pretty strong peak at the finish as well as a linear build".
6 | Golden Burning Sun
This one gives Fleetwood Mac vibes - it's a dreamy, bittersweet pop ballad. According to Melissa Ruggieri from USA Today, "Cyrus’ interest in dichotomous musical styles of dark and light are spotlighted, but ultimately, she embraces her dreamy side". I think it would have felt at home on Younger Now.
5 | End Of The World
The little piano pings and peppy melody are undeniably ABBA coded and work with Miley's signature style to create one of the catchiest songs on the album! The song was written for her mom, Tish, but offers all listeners a fun, dancey distraction from the feeling that the sky is falling.
4 | Easy Lover
Things really pick up with the sixth track, Easy Lover. It gives soul-filled 70s attitude like John Travolta strutting down the sidewalk in bellbottoms. The Needle Drop's Showtano describes it as a "fiery string-kissed disco track with a "smoky tone to her voice".
3 | Reborn
A euphoric disco anthem giving Jessie Ware vibes in the chorus that takes you to heaven and back.
2 | Walk Of Fame
I literally said "yasss!" out loud when I heard the opening lines of this track. It's a fantastic throwback to the heyday of 80s synth pop, specifically Bronski Beat, courtesy of the contribution of Brittany Howard - with a touch of Gaga drama as well. This is what I'd been waiting for!
1 | Every Girl You've Ever Loved
This dancefloor odyssey has everything: saxophones, synthesizers, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea on bass, spoken word refrains from Naomi Campbell and a vogue-off. Top tier camp pop. No notes.
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